Jaapani Suursaadiku kiri nr 14

1. One Year after 3/11: A New Concept of ‘Security’ from Japan (1)One Year On On March 11, the Government of Japan held a ceremony in Tokyo to commemorate the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda addressed the ceremony on behalf of the government, saying:

“The fight against the nuclear accident is continuing. We will make every effort to ensure that the rebirth of Fukushima is definitely achieved and beautiful hometowns are restored to their people… In order to repay the warm and kind assistance shown to us by other countries, we must exert every effort to make an active contribution to the international community.”

Address by His Majesty the Emperor:

http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-okotoba/01/address/okotoba-h24e.html

Address by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (Translations on the website of Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet):

http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/noda/statement/201203/11sikiji_e.html

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On the following day, March 12, Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba hosted a reception, which was attended by many foreign residents in Japan who extended assistance to the affected areas as well as diplomatic corps, including officials of U.S. forces in Japan. In his address, Minister Gemba expressed his condolences for the people who lost their lives and reiterated his gratitude for assistance from the international community. Stressing Japan’s steady progress in reconstruction, Minister Gemba called for action to stem reputational damages and relax travel and import restrictions against Japan. Likewise, Japanese diplomatic missions hosted similar receptions in 214 locations in 136 countries, which were attended by many government officials, organizations and individuals who provided assistance to Japan, business people who could contribute to alleviating reputational damages, Japan experts, as well as the press.

Address by Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba (English translation on the MOFA website): http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/fm/gemba/speech_120312.html

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(2) Towards Japan That Leads the World

We are deeply grateful to the international community for its assistance in all of its forms to the people of Japan in the face of this unprecedented disaster. It embodied a heart-warming sense of solidarity with us. Most areas in Japan, except restricted areas, have returned to normal since the earthquake. We are more than happy to welcome people from abroad, be it for business, travel, or study. We will continue to promptly provide the international community with accurate information on the situation in Japan and the safety of Japanese products. We call upon your government to review, and relax as appropriate, your travel and import restrictions in accordance with the latest conditions in Japan. In fact, some countries, such as Canada, Chile, and Peru, have already lifted their import restrictions altogether. The United States says it essentially makes its restrictions consistent with Japan’s domestic shipment restrictions. An increasing number of countries relaxed their restrictions on travel to Japan. The United States has also narrowed the evacuation advisory zone for its people to the area within a 20-kilometer radius of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The March 11th disaster has reminded us of the importance of kizuna, or bonds of friendship, with the international community. Japan reaffirms its commitment to its international cooperation to achieve human security and sustainable and inclusive growth for the world and to address a range of global issues facing the international community. In this way, Japan can reciprocate the assistance it received from the international community. Japan has also continued to share with the international community the knowledge and lessons learned from the earthquake, the tsunami, and the nuclear accident. Furthermore, Japan strives to become a model for the international community as a top problem solver in such areas as open reconstruction from a natural disaster, disaster prevention, transition to a green economy, action to address an aging population, and high-level economic partnership.

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(3) Safe and Secure Japan

Is Japan an unsafe country to visit? The answer is no. First and foremost, the release of cesium (a radioactive material) from the containment vessels of Units 1 to 3 of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company is now about one 80 millionth of the amount at the time of the accident in March last year. This means that if you are exposed to radiation on the boundary of the site for one year, the total dosage you receive will be 0.02 millisieverts (mSv) or less. (This is far less than the amount of a round trip by air between Tokyo and New York, which is a little over 0.1 mSv, and a gastrointestinal X-ray examination, which is 0.4 mSv.) Second, the nuclear reactors are now in a stable state after achieving a condition equivalent to “cold shutdown” in December last year. Third, air radiation levels in areas around the nuclear power station are largely rather low, as shown in the attachment. For example, radiation levels in the Aizu area in Fukushima Prefecture are on par with those in major cities in the world (0.08-0.14 µSv/h against 0.108 µSv/h in Seoul). Again, Japan is safe to visit. Please feel at ease to visit our country, be it for business, travel, or study.

Radiation Dose Measurements (Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) website): http://www.jnto.go.jp/eq/eng/04_recovery.htm
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2. Japan-EU EPA’s goal and benefits
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An Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Japan and the EU will be comprehensive, covering all issues of interests to both sides, including tariffs, non-tariff measures, services, investment, Intellectual Property Rights, competition, government procurement. It will further enhance trade and investment between the two sides. Japan is committed to addressing non-tariff measures in which the EU has keen interests.
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(1) Furthering Trade & Investment ties and Economic Growth The current status of Japan-EU economic relations -The total amount of Import & export of goods between Japan and the EU in 2010 was about 11.5 billion euro, or

13 trillion yen. (The EU is the third largest trading partner for Japan, while Japan is the sixth largest trading partner for the EU.)

– Japan is ranked as the fourth largest investor to the EU, with its FDI stock of about 120 billion euro, or 15 trillion yen in 2010.

– The EU is ranked as the largest investor to Japan, with its FDI stock of about 57.6 billion euro, or 7 trillion yen in 2010.

-While roughly 3,300 Japanese companies operate their businesses in the EU, creating over 400,000 employment, about 2,500 European companies registered at the European Business Council (EBC) operate in Japan.

– Japan has cooperated since May 2010 with G20 members in response to the European debit crises through an IMF program.

– Japan has purchased about 12 percent of the total bonds issued by the EFSF, 440 billion euro.

Expected Economic Impacts by a Japan-EU EPA -European exports to Japan could increase by as much as 43.4 billion euro (a 71 percent increase in 2008 baseline exports to Japan).

-In the long run, increased investment drives 0.14 percent increase in EU’s GDP (inclusive of the short-run effects), while for the Japan a 0.31 percent increase in GDP is estimated.

-For the EU, the estimated long-run gain in real income is as much as 33.2 billion euro. For Japan, the estimated long-run gain in real income is between 18.2 and 9.7 billion euro.

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Japan and the EU are facing two common challenges: fiscal consolidation and economic growth. Japan-EU EPA is a high-priority policy agenda for both sides, since it leads to economic growth through further expanding bilateral trade and investment.
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(2) Joint initiative in global rule-making in the trade and economy

– Amid the change in the international economic order with the dramatic growth of emerging economies, Japan and the EU could take the lead in global rule-making.

– Japan is well positioned to capitalize on the economic growth of the Asian region including China. For the EU, Japan can be a gateway to Asia.

This enables the EU to take advantage of the economic growth of Asia through Japan-EU EPA.
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Joint Japan-EU initiatives in global rule-making will give the edge for European and Japanese companies in accessing the global market. Japan’s network with South East Asian countries through the existing EPAs and planed Japan-Korea-China FTA and Regional Economic Partnership make Japan an ideal “base camp” for European business interested in Asian markets.

Japan-EU EPA will further provide a platform for European companies’ working into Asian markets.
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(3) Comprehensive strengthening of Japan-EU relations: constructing strategic partnership

– As partners who share fundamental values such as democracy, rule of law, and basic human rights, Japan and the EU can further collaborate in tackling climate change, energy security, the war on terror, nuclear issues, and other global challenges as well as regional issues in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

– Japan and the EU can further extend the scope of cooperation in various fields from the broader perspective beyond trade and investment. A Japan-EU EPA is conducive to the comprehensive strengthening of the bilateral relationship.
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Reducing the risks from global issues such as energy insecurity and terrorism and stabilizing political and economic situation in each region can lower business risk and commercial loss for EU companies. Thus, comprehensive strengthening of Japan-EU relations will lead to expanding business opportunities in different regions for both Japanese and European companies.
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3. G8 Summit in Camp David: The Summit Emphasized the “Back to Basics”

Approach and the Leaders Had Frank Discussions on Various Agenda Such as the Global Economy and Regional Issues
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On May 18 and 19, the G8 Summit was held in Camp David, the United States, where Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda attended from Japan. As the Chair, the United States held the summit at the President’s country retreat, emphasizing back to the basics of the G8 Summit. A detailed exchange of views was carried out among leaders on a broad range of political and economic issues.
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(1) Japan mainly discussed the following points at the Summit:

(a) Regional and Political Issues

Discussion was held concerning Iran, Syria, North Korea, Myanmar, and others. Regarding Iran, Prime Minister Noda noted that imports of Iranian crude oil to Japan have been reduced despite the difficult circumstances caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and expressed his hope that progress will be made through each and every effort by the EU 3+3, IAEA, and other entities. Concerning North Korea, he stated that the international community should make clear that any wrongdoing will not be rewarded, and that the international community, including the G8, should convey their united and firm resolve to North Korea in order to prevent further provocations. Prime Minister Noda also asked for the continued support of each G8 nation on the abduction issue.

(b) The Global Economy

During discussions on the response to the resurging European debt crisis and the importance of achieving fiscal consolidation while also maintaining economic growth, Japan explained that Japan has contributed to the resolution of the crisis and prevention of its spread into Asia such as by strengthening the IMF resources and enhancing the Chiang Mai Initiative. In addition, Japan stated that achieving both fiscal consolidation and economic growth is important for Japan as well and explained the initiatives on the comprehensive reform of social security and tax. Japan also affirmed the necessity of promoting free trade as a driver for growth, efforts on promoting economic partnerships, and the importance of avoiding protectionism.

(c) Africa and Food Security

Together with the African leaders and the private sector participants, the Leaders discussed the “New Alliance” aimed at stimulating private sector investment to improve food security in Africa. Japan expressed its determination to make next year’s TICAD V a success based on the outcomes of TICAD IV. In this regard, Japan intends to further enhance cooperation with United Kingdom, the G8 Chair next year.

(d) Afghanistan’s Economic Transition

Japan explained the importance of a mutual commitment between the international community and the government of Afghanistan, the necessity of improving governance in Afghanistan, the establishment of biennial review mechanisms, and other issues regarding Tokyo Conference on Afghanistan in July. The G8 confirmed to provide political support for the Conference.
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At this Summit, the “G8 Camp David Summit Declaration”, “Fact Sheet on G8 Actions”, and the “Statement by G8 Leaders on Global Oil Markets” were issued respectively.